Sen. Frederica Wilson, a Miami Democrat, pressed Sen. Daniel Webster, the bill's Republican sponsor, on the scan's price tag -- which can be more than $350. Had he thought what such a hefty price tag would mean to poor women?
''I am under the impression that every senator's wife or daughter [who] wants to have an abortion can afford it without any problems,'' said Wilson. ``My question has to do with people who live in places you wouldn't be caught dead in.
``I'm wondering have you thought about what happens to these people if they are forced to have a sonogram, before an abortion and they have the child . . . the child born to a family that's already overburdened. Grandmother has most of the rest of them. So we're looking at another statistic for foster care?''
Webster, of Winter Garden, spent the first two hours of debate answering such scenarios -- from opponents like Wilson and supporters, too.
The stakes are high. The outcome likely will be decided by a single senator, and the vote is expected to cross party lines.
The bill is set for a final Senate vote before the end of the week. The proposed law would require all Florida women seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound and then decide to view the image of the fetus.
Senators on both sides of the issue have spent the past few days tallying every vote, realizing that the decision will likely pass or fail 21-19.
The proposal requires doctors to perform an ultrasound any time a woman asks for an abortion, then let the woman see the scan and explain it to her. Women could sign a form to waive the option to view the scan. If a woman is a victim of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking she also could waive viewing the ultrasound.
Supporters say the scans help women make an informed medical decision and help doctors know how old a fetus is.
''The abortion clinic needs to know if, in fact, she is [pregnant] the morning after or if she is, in fact, three to four weeks after,'' said Sen. Ronda Storms, a Valrico Republican.
But opponents have said the ultrasound provision is really meant to create a hurdle for women already making a difficult decision.
Webster said most Florida abortion clinics already require ultrasounds as part of their standard procedures, so he argues the bill only adds the requirement that women should have the chance to see the scan.
But he admitted he wouldn't mind if the scans result in more women who rethink their decision to have an abortion.
''I'm pro-life,'' Webster said. ``But I'd like to at least give the very best information we can. This is good information, I think. And does it change people's minds?
``I don't know. But I would suspect. I've had six kids. Those ultrasounds are awesome. They impacted me. They impacted my wife. . . . And if they chose to keep that unborn child until birth, I'd be happy.''
